Burger Continental Shut Down Due to Serious Health Code Violations

The Pasadena Public Health Department has shut down the Burger Continental restaurant on South Lake Avenue due to a number of serious health code violations cited in last week’s “routine inspection.”

The Department gave the restaurant a score of 61, with 14 critical violations and 42 non-critical violations, during the Health Department’s August 28 inspection, Pasadena Director of Public Health Eric Walsh told the Pasadena Star-News.

Cited violations of the eatery include having cockroaches, unsafe food temperatures, improper cleaning and sanitation, gross contamination of food preparation surfaces, improper disposal of liquid waste and improper hand washing, Walsh added.

“The first day we went in an did an inspection, we found they had some critical things we viewed as imminent health hazards so we suspended the license on that date,” Walsh told the Star-News.

The restaurant’s license to operate will be suspended until the management met a list of conditions to adhere to the health code standards, Walsh added.

Records show that the eatery has no health permit posted on public display. the Star-News reported.

No complaints were filed to the Health Department against Burger Continental prior to the inspection, Walsh told the newspaper.

Health Department gave Burger Continental a score of 89 over 100 during its May 2012 inspection, citing violations for demonstration of knowledge, food separation and protection, ventilation and lighting and cleanliness of floors, walls and ceilings.

The inspection of all the restaurants in the district is scheduled to be done by the end of 2013, but the Department has slower pacing on this year’s inspections due to staffing issues and the death of its division manager in 2012, Walsh told the Star-News.

“We probably will have some catching up to do,” Walsh added.

The Department targets a one to three times inspection for each establishment annually, Walsh told the newspaper. A total of four businesses have been shut down by the Department this year so far.

Meanwhile, food review website Yelp showed a rapid decline in the ratings of Burger Continental from three stars in April to around 1.5 in July to August and down to one star in September.

A certain “Mel S.” of Glendale posted a review on the website in August 26 saying that she, her mom, dad, uncle and aunt went to Burger Continental for a dinner, and all experienced food poisoning the next day.

“Burger Continental used to be a cool happening spot but its dated now…apparently the food is dated too! GROSS!” posted Mel S.

“Gwynnie P.” of San Francisco shared the same sentiment in his August 20 post saying that he/she has “never seen a dirtier restaurant.”

“I guess I’d only go back if my CalTech alum friend was having a sentimental attack and demanded it. If you’re not similarly encumbered, look around for a better place to eat,” Gwynnie P. posted.

Meanwhile, the restaurant also received four to five stars from some people who posted their review in the website.

“Well Burger continental is a very pleasant surprise, to be honest i was scared with all the bad reviews however when we visited we saw that the reviews are wrong!” a certain “Pat B.” posted on Yelp on July 6. “We received excellent service great food at a casual patio seating atmosphere with live entertainment that included belly dancing witch made our party alot more fun. Good experience overall.”